Sri Lanka script history; record 5th successful chase in Tests
Sri Lanka on Tuesday scripted history after they registered their highest successful chase in Test cricket. It was also the fifth highest successful chase in the format. Sri Lanka achieved the feat during Day 5 of the one-off Tests against visitors Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka successfully chased down the total of 388 for the loss of six wickets. The top four in the list are: West Indies (418/7), South Africa (414/4), India (406/4) and Australia (404/3). Sri Lanka now go past India’s 387 for the loss of four wickets, against England in Chennai during 2008-09. That win was set up by fine knocks from Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. This chase from Sri Lanka now surpasses India’s feat and now stands top amongst successful chases in subcontinent. Sri Lanka’s previous successful chase was back in 2006, when they cased down 352 for the loss of nine wickets against South Africa at Colombo. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 2017 – One-off Test at Colombo
Fighting half-centuries by Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne sparked Sri Lanka to a record 388 target to beat Zimbabwe by four wickets on Tuesday in a riveting one-off Test. A crucial 121-run sixth-wicket stand between Gunaratne (80 not out) and Dickwella (81) secured Sri Lanka’s best-ever run chase in Colombo. Sri Lanka’s previous best was against South Africa in 2006, when they achieved a 352-run target. The win was a boost for new Test captain Dinesh Chandimal and eased Sri Lanka’s pain after a shock 2-3 defeat in the one-day series against the low-ranked Zimbabwean side. Dickwella, Gunaratne steer SL to victory on Day 5 of ZIM Test at Colombo
| Team | Total | Ovs | RPO | Inns | Result | Opponent | Ground | Start Date |
| West Indies | 418/7 | 128.5 | 3.24 | 4 | won | Australia | St John’s | 9-May-03 |
| South Africa | 414/4 | 119.2 | 3.46 | 4 | won | Australia | Perth | 17-Dec-08 |
| India | 406/4 | 147 | 2.76 | 4 | won | West Indies | Port of Spain | 7-Apr-76 |
| Australia | 404/3 | 114.1 | 3.53 | 4 | won | England | Leeds | 22-Jul-48 |
| Sri Lanka | 391/6 | 114.5 | 3.4 | 4 | won | Zimbabwe | Colombo (RPS) | 14-Jul-17 |
Zimbabwe skipper Graeme Cremer claimed four wickets with his leg-spin to return overall figures of 9-275 in the match. Rangana Herath for his 11 wickets in the Test was awarded the Man of the Match. He also got an important 22 in the first innings.